I Can’t Build You A Bubble :: Raising Kids in A Tough World

While catching up on current events, I often think to myself, “What is happening in this world?”  When did it become so threatening, divisive, and self-centered? My worldview shifted when I had my daughter.  All of a sudden, it wasn’t just my world that seemed tough, but her world, too.

Build Bubble

Terrorism, addiction, mass shootings, greed, bullying – the list goes on. They are all too real and present in her world. How can I possibly keep my child safe in a world where harm and obstacles are persistent and unpredictable?

When I face my own reality and capabilities, I fall short.  I cannot save her. I feel so vulnerable and, at times, angry.  I can’t fully protect the thing I love most in the world from the world. I can’t build a bubble and shield her from harm.  I can’t catch her before every fall. I can’t right every wrong. I certainly do not want to keep her from discovering and paving her own way.  I want her to grow, have experiences, and find her passion in life.

More importantly, I want the world to know her wonderful spirit. So, here’s what I can do:

I can have high standards for friendships and relationships.

I can ask tough questions and trust my gut instinct.

I can instill the importance of education and lifelong learning.

I can teach her to know and respect her body.

I can engage in conversations about inequality and adversity.

I can empower her to not conform and instead seek the extraordinary.

I can encourage her stand up for herself.

I can be kind, ethical, and confident.

I can help her to know an all-loving God, and have a deep-rooted faith.

I can listen.

I can be home base; here for her to land and recharge.

And, I can love her unconditionally, wholeheartedly.

The world is tough. Not everyone plays by the same rules, and some people are cruel and relentless. I know I am bound to misjudge a situation or make a wrong choice. I want to set my child up for success, which (to me) is focusing on what I can do and not dwelling on all the ways the world is out to get her.

Raising Kids in A Tough World

Things may seem grim and harsh, but I can be the good in her world. I may not be able to protect her from everything, but I can raise a strong, educated, driven child prepared to face the world head-on and help others.

I can do so much and so can she.

 

Tomi Dechant
Tomi is a mover, shaker, and baby maker - which means she enjoys a good dance party in the kitchen and is a mom to two monsters of her own creation. Tomi is from Kansas and is currently a Political Science instructor and author of the children's book, How to Make a Monster Smile.

1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for sharing this beautiful blog..I think parents these days are more success driven, they want their child to top in maths class..win sports..go to good college..go to NASA and what not..But, what they really miss is, to teach them, what to do when you fail, or this world fails you..I believe every parent should read this blog and learn something from it..

Comments are closed.